Cascade 220 Superwash Yarn

Cascade 220 Superwash is the machine-washable version of Cascade 220. It's superwash wool, so it won't felt in the wash, and the classic skein holds 220 yards in 100 grams. Here's every version we have in stock: the classic, Merino, Sport, Fingering, and the color-shifting Wave and Aran Wave.

The 220 Superwash family

  • 220 Superwash: the original. 100% superwash wool, 220 yards per 100 g, knitting at 20 to 22 stitches per 4 inches on US 6 to 7 needles, in over 200 colors.
  • 220 Superwash Merino: the same gauge and yardage in softer superwash merino.
  • 220 Superwash Wave: the classic yarn dyed in long color shifts, so stripes form on their own.
  • 220 Superwash Aran Wave: a heavier color-shift yarn, 150 yards per 100 g at 16 to 18 stitches per 4 inches.
  • 220 Superwash Sport: superwash merino, about 136 yards per 50 g, for lighter sweaters and baby things.
  • 220 Superwash Fingering: superwash merino, 219 yards per 50 g, for shawls, baby things and fine colorwork.

220 Superwash or regular 220?

Cascade 220 is untreated 100% Peruvian Highland wool, so it felts and blooms the way traditional wool does. It's hand wash only and knits at 18 to 20 stitches per 4 inches on US 7 to 8 needles. 220 Superwash knits a little finer, at 20 to 22 stitches on US 6 to 7, and it can go in the washer and dryer. Reach for regular 220 for felting and traditional colorwork, and for 220 Superwash when the finished piece will be washed a lot, like kids' clothes and blankets.

Our guide What Is Superwash Wool? explains how the treatment works and how superwash behaves differently from regular wool. You can also browse all of our superwash yarn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cascade 220 is untreated 100% Peruvian Highland wool. It is hand wash only, and it felts, which makes it a good pick for felted projects and traditional colorwork. Cascade 220 Superwash is treated so it will not felt, and it can be machine washed and tumble dried. The superwash version also knits a little finer, at 20 to 22 stitches per 4 inches on US 6 to 7 needles, compared with 18 to 20 stitches on US 7 to 8 for regular 220, so swatch before you swap one for the other.

Yes. The labels across the 220 Superwash family say to machine wash in cool water and tumble dry on low (Wave says cold water and a cool dryer). Wash and dry your gauge swatch the same way before you start a fitted garment, so you know how the fabric will behave.

It can. Like most superwash wool, it can relax and stretch a little when wet, especially in heavy pieces like sweaters. Wash and dry your swatch before you measure gauge. Drying the finished piece in the dryer on low, which the label allows, usually helps it bounce back.

No. The superwash treatment stops the fibers from locking together, so it will not felt. For felted bags, slippers or hats, use regular Cascade 220 or another wool labeled feltable.

Check your pattern first, but an adult sweater in this weight usually takes about 900 to 1,500 yards, which is 5 to 7 skeins of the classic 220 Superwash. Buy them all from one dye lot, with a skein to spare.